Reuters cameraman jailed in Abu Ghraib

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The Reuters news agency said today it was shocked and appalled
by the sentencing of one of its cameraman to Iraq's Abu Ghraib
prison.

Reuters said 36-year-old cameraman Ali al-Mashhadani, who was
detained by US forces in Iraq three weeks ago, had been ordered by
a secret tribunal to be held without charge in Baghdad's Abu Ghraib
prison until his case was reviewed - a process which could take up
to six months.

"I am shocked and appalled that such a decision could be taken
without his having access to legal counsel of his choosing, his
family or his employers," said David Schlesinger, Reuters Global
Managing Editor.

Schlesinger said the US military had refused the news
organisation's requests to disclose why the cameraman was being
detained.

"I call on the authorities to release him immediately or
publicly air the case against him and give him the opportunity to
defend himself," Schlesinger said.

Reuters claim al-Mashhadani was detained after US marines
examined images on his and a colleague's cameras.

Another Reuters cameraman in Iraq, Haider Kadhem, 24, was
released Wednesday after being held and questioned by the US
military since Sunday. Kadhem was travelling with his brother
Waleed, 35, a Reuters sound technician, when the pair's vehicle was
fired upon, injuring Haider and killing Waleed.

Reuters said reports suggested that US troops had opened fire on
the two Iraqis.